Governor-General’s Achievement Award Scheme

Thousands of individuals across Jamaica, volunteer their time, talent and energy to help others solve social problems and build strong communities. Media reports indicate that these volunteers represent all backgrounds, ages and beliefs. They all share the common goal of working to make a difference at the community level and without regard for financial need.

In 1991 the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Scheme was established to acknowledge and award the meaningful contribution of individuals at the community level. This Awards Scheme celebrates the success of these volunteers and highlights the impact of the award recipients on community and national life.

There are three (3) categories of awards under the Governor-General’s Achievement Award Scheme, namely the:

Governor-General’s Achievement Award

Governor-General’s Youth Award of Excellence

Governor-General’s Jamaican Diaspora Award for Excellence

A total of fourteen (14) individuals, one from each parish, receive the Governor-General’s Achievement Award annually. Each recipient has risen from humble circumstances to become outstanding individuals at the parish level.

In 2006 the Governor-General’s Youth Award of Excellence was introduced to promote excellence as a habit and not a disposition among young people. Two awards are presented to recipients from each parish who have demonstrated outstanding community involvement as well as excellence in academics or entrepreneurship.

The Governor-General’s Jamaican Diaspora Award for Excellence, presented for the first time in 2008, is given to three individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to Jamaica and communities in their countries of residence – United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. These awards are presented biennially to three individuals.

Each category of awards has specific selection criteria as outlined below.

On February 25, 2014, the Advisory Boards of the Governor-General’s Achievement Award (GGAA) and the I Believe Initiative (IBI), accepted a proposal from Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen for the merger of both programmes. The proposal was presented at a joint meeting of the Advisory Boards held at King’s House on Tuesday, February 25. Both programmes will retain their individual identity under the umbrella of the “Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence.”

For additional information about the Governor-General’s Programme for Excellence, please contact:

The Constitutional Status and Role of the Governor-General

The Governor-General of Jamaica is appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, within the monarchical system of Government provided by the Jamaican Constitution. He is "Her Majesty's representative in Jamaica".